Quick correction to the above post: the LN2 cools it down to -70C or colder; with dry ice alone you can get down to -42C

Posted at 6:27 pm on Apr 9th, 2008 by 3ricj

Space, how about just for working in Canadian Prairie Winters!

Posted at 6:51 pm on Apr 9th, 2008 by BonesSK

@bonessk – That’s a good statement, as most consumer (or even “rugged”) electronics are rated at -40 to +80C, and that’s not good enough in winter in Canada (or any other country in the north :P). Winter in the territories is wicked.

I suppose the lack of air pressure is a further test that some components would need a test or a pressurized vessel for..

Posted at 10:01 pm on Apr 9th, 2008 by dax

When I worked for the CSA we used a giant (as in ~50ft high) vacuum chamber. The device would be blasted with an array of halogen lights on one side, and chilled with liquid nitrogen on the other. You must realize that when facing the sun directly, there could be a 200 degree difference between front and back. This plays hell on electronics. Non uniform temperature distribution causes more malfunctions than any single extreme temperature – within reason :P

Posted at 11:14 pm on Apr 9th, 2008 by Mark

Mark is right, the main problem are huge temperature differences . You should also remember that in space there is heavy radiation, so you have to use special radhard IC or at last old ICs which have big transistors, not that easily destryed by single particle.

Posted at 2:26 am on Apr 10th, 2008 by Caladan

Looks like a super beer cooler !

Posted at 8:51 am on Apr 10th, 2008 by eda74

You don’t need gigantic devices to get a small area (components) down to “space level” temps. The device I have at work (Space Level Components) is just an over-glorified refrigerator compressor. In order to hit the temps required for “space level”, you should really use nitrogen in the “air blast” instead of normal air, to avoid any issues with moisture freezing and damaging the device. Dry ice and LN2 is fun and all, but having a steady supply isn’t worth the effort. Re-purpose an old fridge compressor setup, add in some TECs (Peltier Devices) if its not enough, and have fun.

Posted at 4:11 pm on Apr 10th, 2008 by JD

extreme cooling is not the only issue with electronics in space, over-HEATING is also a concern… without the effects of gravity (or in freefall, if you prefer), heated gas does not rise. Therefore, the heat from electronics isn’t naturally wafted away by the air. Without fan based cooling, electronics of even the most basic level gain an envelope of superheated air that can fry them…

Posted at 11:59 pm on Apr 10th, 2008 by greg schoppe